Two candidates ready to face Jammeh in Gambia's presidential race

A businessman and a gender activist will face Gambia’s long-time leader Yahya Jammeh in December during the country’s presidential election on December 1, 2016.

The businessman, Adama Barrow, will represent the main opposition party the United Democratic Party (UDP) as flagbearer after he was selected on Thursday.

51-year-old Barrow, who was arrested together with his party’s leader Ousainou Darboe in April during a demonstration, reached out to other opposition parties to join hands to “save” the country from Jammeh.

Ousainou Darboe was sentenced July 20 to three years in prison along with 17 other prisoners for several charges including demonstrating illegally.

Gender activist Dr. Isatou Touray who is the Executive Director of The Gambia Committee against Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) has also expressed interest in joining the race, making her the first woman to run for presidency in the west African country.

Dr. Touray confirmed her candidacy to AFP saying she will announce her decision officially on Friday, September 2, 2016 to stand as an independent candidate during the 2016 election.

She played a pivotal role in the banning of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country.

Yahya Jammeh, who has ruled Gambia for the past 22 years, was selected in February as the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party’s candidate.